Origin of Maa Narmada
In Hinduism, Narmada is considered as the holy river of sins destroyer. The origin of the Narmada is Amarkantak. Amarkantak has an important place in the major pilgrimages, in this holy land. the origin of holy rivers like Narmada, Sone and Jwalavati. Amarkantak is located on the eastern treaty of the Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh.
Narmada is considere to be the most ancient saintiy river in all the rivers of India.There are many Devasthan and cities on either side of it. On the banks of Narmada, many sages like Agastya, Bhrigu, Atri, Bharadwaja, Kaushik, Markandeya, Shandilya, Kapil etc. have done penance on the banks of Narmada. It is said that the coast of Narmada is a holy pilgrimage place.
Specialty of Narmada River
By doing penance on the banks of the Narmada, you attain a thousands times of virtue.Taking a bath in the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Sarju etc., attains virtue. The same virtue is attain by only the sight of Narmada.
According to the Puranas, Narmada is also known as Shagri, because she is the daughter of Shiva. When Lord Bholenath was absorb in penance on Mount Mekhal. When the gods praise them and woke them up with austerity, some drops of sweat fell from their body that led to the emergence of a pool And
a twelve-year-old girl was born from this pool, which was an image of beauty. And due to its beauty, the gods have name it Narmada (Narm means – Sukh and Da) means – Giver) which is known as Narmada River.Due to its origin from the Mekhal mountain, it is also call the Mekhal Suta.
When it flows through the mountainous region, it moves with the sound of rau. That is why devotees also call it Reva.Narmada is also call the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh.It acts as a traditional border between North and South India.It joins the Gulf of Khambhat by walking 1,312 km westward from its origin
Why Narmada River flows in the opposite direction
Narmada River is a symbol of faith of millions of people. It is also call Jeevandayini(life giving). Narmada River is the main river of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat with 10 thousand pilgrimage sites along its banks.
Where all rivers flow from west to east, and are contain in the Bay of Bengal. The same Narmada river is such a river, which flows from east to west, and merges into Arabasagar.The Narmada River has a length of 1,312 km. Given the geographical location, the Narmada lift flows in the opposite direction, being in the valley
According to the Puranas
it is said about the river Narmada that she was the daughter of King Maikhal. When Narmada became eligible for marriage, Raja Maikhal announced her marriage and also said that the princess would marry the same person who would bring Gulbakavali flowers.After this many princes came but could not fulfill the bet of Gulabkavali flower of King Maikhal
Then Prince Sonbhadra came and fulfilled the condition of Gulabkavali flower of the king. After this, the marriage of Narmada and Sonbhadra was decide. When King Maikhal decided to marry Princess Narmada to Prince Sonbhadra.
So the princess wished to see rajkumar once. For this he made his friend Juhila wear his clothes and ornaments and sent him to the prince with a message.When Sonbhadra understand Johila as Narmada and placed a love proposal innt of him, Johila could not refuse the prince’s love proposition. And started falling in love with Sonbhadra.
But a long time passed but Juhila did not return. So the princess began to worry and she went in search of him.Then she reached to Prince Sonbhadra and saw Juhila and Rajkumar there , she was very angry. And she vowed to be a virgin all her life and went in the opposite direction.
It is said that since then, the Narmada has flowed from east to west and in the opposite direction and joined the Arabian Sea. Talking about other rivers, all the rivers meet in the Bay of Bengal.
Importance of Narmada in Hinduism –
We will tell you about the importance of Narmada River.The ancient texts which refer to the Reva River are mention.
That Rewa river is called Narmada river.Also known as Maa Reva. Narmada is one such river, which is circle. Devotees revolve around Maa Narmada with great faith. Narmada is also known as Sins destroyer.
The word Narmada is the mantra itself, and Narmada is the nectar stream in Kali Yuga. There are also cultivation sites of ascetics on the banks of the Narmada. For this reason, it has also been call tapomayi.
Secret of Shivling of Narmada River
By whose philosophy all sins are destroy.The river Narmada is worshipe as every Kankar Shankar,Because Narmada River is the only such river. At the bottom of which Shiva lingam comes out.Which is call Narmadeshwar Shivling.
Narmadeshwar Shivling originating from Narmada is a form of Bhole Nath. Whose worship brings many benefits. Narmadeshwar Shivling is Self-proclaimed shivling .
Narmadeshwar Shivalinga does not require Pran Pratishtha.Narmadeshwar Shivling can installed directly by bringing from Narmada.Narmadeshwar Shivalinga is very pure and holy.Due to which positive energy keeps flowing. Whoever establishes the Narmadeshwar Shivling at home, he gets happiness, peace and Lakshmi. It is consider auspicious to keep Narmadeshwar Shivling in the house.
Narmadeshwar Shivling originates only from the Narmada River. Because Maa Narmada has receive a boon, every Kankar emanating from Narmada will be worshipe as Shankar.
the puranas state that| In ancient times, the river Narmada decide to become like the river Ganges, and Narmada start doing austerities of Brahma Ji.Because Brahma ji is such a deity.Which is famous for boons.
Secret of Narmada River
When any god or demon ordemon had to get a boon,so they used to meditate on brahma ji. Therefore Maa Narmada also did penance of Brahma ji and pleased Brahma ji.
Then Brahma ji asked Narmada to ask for a boon, then Narmada said that make me sinless and worshipable like Ganges river. By which people should worship me and my name is known, then Brahma Ji said that there can be no equal in this world. Can there be another man like Lord Vishnu? Can any other god equal to Lord Shiva? Or there may be another woman like
Goddess Parvati. Hearing of Brahma ji, Narmada ji left from there. After that Maa Narmada established Shivalinga at Pilapila Tirtha(kashi puri) to appease Bhole Nath and started penance.
Then Lord Shiva was very please with the penance of Narmada, and ask to ask for a boon, then Narmada said that God bless me that my devotion should always remain at your feet.
Lord Shiva Shankar was very please to hear the talk of Narmada. and Said that all the Kankaras in your bottom will become Shankar.And just by your philosophy, all sins will be destroyed.
After saying this, Lord Shankar became absorbed in the same Shivalinga forever. And Mother Narmada also very happied to receive such boon and purity. Since then, Kankar of Narmada is worshipe as Shankar. Which is call Narmadeshwar Shivling.
Importance of Narmada Jayanti and why it is celebrated –
Narmada Jayanti is the main festival of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat,narmda jayanti ,
Narmada Jayanti is celebrate on the Saptami of Shukla Paksha of Magh month. Because on this day Narmada originated with the sweat drops of Bholenath.Narmada is call the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh.
Narmada is the only such river. Whose birthday is celebrate. And whom we worship as mother. Ganga is considere sacred in Kankhal region and Saraswati is consider holy in Kurukshetra. But whether it is a village or a forest, Narmada is consider sacred everywhere. This river also has religious significance. It is call the Siddha Kshetra in the Brahmanda Purana.
The water of Narmada is considere to be a sin prevention. By bathing in whose water, you are freed from the sins of births. . On the banks of Narmada, people also donate their paitaro bodies. On the banks of river Narmada, one of the Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated. Which is the famous Shiva temple of Nimar.
Where people come from far away to see. Narmada River has receive a boon in many boons that every Kankar of Narmada is worshipe as Shankar. Which is call Narmadeshwar Shivling.
Narmada River is the Shukhadayini river whose birth anniversary is celebrate with great pomp. Religious programs are organize on the Narmada Jayanti Festival in villages and cities located along the banks of Narmada, such as Maheshwar, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Bakavan, Barwah, etc.
The banks of the river are decorate, Mahayagya is perform and in the evening all the devotees perform special aarti of Maa Narmada. . When the lamps are lit in the evening, it seems as if the stars have come to the ground and the Bhandaras are also done as Prasadi. .
This festival is celebrate like this for a whole week. To see the Narmada Jayanti Festival, a large number of devotees come from not only the country but also from abroad. There are other rivers in India, but the birth anniversary of any river is not celebrate in this way for seven days.
According to Puranic stories
according to a legend of Vamana Purana, Andhakasura was the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. A demon Hiranyaksha did austerity of Lord Shiva and ask for a boon to get a strong son like him. So Lord Shiva gave his son Andhakasura to Hiranaksha . Andhakasura was the ultimate devotee of Lord Shiva. He had devotion to Lord Shiva and received from him a gigantic form of 2000 hands, 2000 legs, 2000 eyes, 1000 heads.
But as Hiranyaksha’s strength increased, his atrocities went on increasing. And he also took away their heaven from the gods. Then all the gods went to Lord Vishnu and pleaded that the Lord you himself can save us from this monster.
Then Lord Vishnu heard the prayers of the gods and Lord Vishnu killed Hiranyaksha by taking the Varaha avatar. On hearing the news of the father’s death, a feeling of revenge arose in Andhakasura’s mind. And he went to consider Lord Vishnu and Mahadev as his enemies. Andhakasura, with his strength and might, deposited his dominion over Devaloka.
And after occupying Devaloka, Andhakasura started fighting with Bhole Nath to rule over Kailash. In Kailash, there was a fierce war between Andhakasura and Mahadev. In which Shivji killed Andhakasura.
After the slaughter of Andhakasura, the gods also came to know about the sins committed by them. All the gods, Lord Vishnu and Brahma, went to Lord Shiva, who was seat in mausoleum on Mekal Mountain (Amarkantak).
After many praises and prayers Lord Shiva opened his eyes, then all the gods requested that “O Lord, our soul has become sinful due to the many kinds of luxuries and slaughter of innumerable demons. How shall we attain virtue “. After which a drop of sweat from the head of Lord Shiva falls on the earth. In a few moments that drop was transformed into a girl. The girl’s name was named Narmada.
Lord Shiva ordered Narmada to flow as a river from the Shukla Saptami of Magh month and defeat the sins of the people. The same date of the descent of Narmada is celebrate as Narmada Jayanti.